Comparative Study of Effect of Honey on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate in Healthy Male and Female Subjects
Aluko Esther Olusola *
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Olubobokun Titilope Helen
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
I. Bassey Enobong
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Atang Dara Ezekiel
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of honey on blood pressure and heart rate on healthy male and female subjects.
Methodology: 20ml honey orally administered was evaluated in hundred healthy male and female subjects. Their basal systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) were taken as the control values. After measuring their basal SBP, DBP and HR, 20ml of honey was orally administered and the systolic blood pressure, Diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were measured at 15, 30, 60 minutes with a digital sphygmomanometer and analogue sphygmomanometer as a check.
Results: The results of this study showed that mean SBP decreased (p=.05) significantly in female compared to male at control, after 15, 30 and 60 minutes of oral administration of 20ml of honey. DBP decreased (p=.05) significantly in female compared to male at control, after 15 minutes and 60 minutes of oral administration of 20ml of honey and HR decreased (p=.05) significantly in female compared to male at 60 minutes of oral administration of 20ml of honey.
Conclusion: The effect of honey on systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate shows that it has a hypotensive effect in healthy male and female subjects.
Keywords: Honey, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and Heart rate